Newcastle United FC

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Owen set for second op

27 Sep 2007 - 08:38:18

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Newcastle United striker Michael Owen is set to undergo two operations in a bid to overcome his latest injury setback.

The England striker suffered a tear in his abductor muscle which put paid to his hopes of being fit for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

But Magpies boss Sam Allardyce has also revealed the injury-plagued striker will go under the knife for a second time to have his stomach lining strengthened in a bid to prevent further problems.

Owen was substituted during the Magpies' 3-1 victory over West Ham United on Sunday and missed Tuesday's Carling Cup third round defeat at Arsenal.

"Michael has seen a specialist in Manchester who has advised him to get the stomach lining strengthened, while he is having a tear in his adductor muscle repaired," he told The Sun.

"The idea is to prevent him getting a hernia. The last thing we want is him to come back in three weeks' time and for the weakness to turn into a hernia problem.

"We're hopeful he won't be out for too long because it is a relatively straightforward procedure."